 Live
and Golf Like a King in New Zealand
By John Howell,
Special to TravelGolf.com
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NEW ZEALAND - As you tap in for par on the manicured 18th green
of the Christchurch Golf Course watched by local club members
from the balcony of the impressive, turn-of-the-century clubhouse,
you can afford to congratulate yourself on a round well played.
But that's not the only satisfaction you'll feel, because you'll
be all too aware that the last leisurely 18 holes have cost you
a mere US$8. And this is at one of New Zealand's most prestigious
and longest established private clubs; one of the country's top
five rated courses!
Unbelievable, yet true. And it just keeps on getting better
and better. For the cost of a week's vacation for one person at
a well regarded US golf resort, two people could enjoy a whole
month doing exactly the same - and a whole lot more - in New Zealand.
Snowbirds New Zealand, a Christchurch city based inbound tourism
operator, offers enthusiasts the "ultimate golf vacation",
plus the opportunity to experience a safe adventure while discovering
the country at its very best. That truly is the beauty of playing
golf downunder. It's not the only one either.
New Zealand? Where's that?
New Zealand is an absolute gem. Consisting of two major islands
- the North and South Islands - this fabulous tourist destination
located deep in the South Pacific is often confused by many Americans
as being part of neighbouring Australia. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Both countries are world's apart in terms of scenery
and natural attractions. And when it comes to sport, Australia
and New Zealand are fierce rivals willing to battle to the end
to be proclaimed the victor.
New Zealand's great charm is its beautiful, unspoiled scenery
which changes with every twist of the highway. The same size as
California, its population numbers just 3.4 million. No overcrowded,
stressful and disruptive existence for these lucky kiwis. The
locals are warm and genuinely welcoming, a friendly cultural mix
of Europeans, native Maori, Pacific Islanders and immigrants from
all over Asia who have chosen to make this clean, environmentally
pure land their home. You've never seen anything quite like it.
Both islands have a great diversity of scenery and geological
features. Everywhere you look there are a hundred different hues
of greens, golds, blues and browns. Spectacular geothermal hot
mud pools and geysers typify the ancient volcanic nature of the
North Island's central plateau.
Vast tracts of native bush still untouched by the advance of
Man are to be found in the far south of the South Island. Sandy,
golden beaches washed by the warm Pacific Ocean give way to dramatic,
craggy coastlines. Tranquil, bush-fringed lakes and tumbling snow-fed
rivers are framed against the backdrop of pristine mountain ranges.
Lush, fertile farmland supports a massive number of sheep, cattle
and deer.
Even the major cities vary so much from one another...the vibrant,
cosmopolitan northern city of Auckland (the country's largest),
the stately political capital of Wellington at the southern tip
of the North Island, the 'garden city' of Christchurch on the
South Island's east coast and further south, Dunedin, with it's
unique Scottish heritage faithfully preserved to this day.
And it's from Christchurch, that Snowbirds New Zealand will
offer you the freedom to explore the sights of this particularly
picturesque city - an eclectic mix of English conservatism and
European-style culture. The gateway to the south, the entire picture-postcard
South Island is so easily accessible, as is the whole country.
Getting down there is so easy too (even if it is long) and so
incredibly affordable. A number of major airlines provide regular
scheduled services from Los Angeles to Auckland, which connect
to a comprehensive domestic network. The roading systems are excellent
and remain incredibly uncrowded. Out on the open highways a passing
vehicle can sometimes be a novelty. One thing to remember though
is that New Zealand drives on the left hand side of the road.
Dollar for dollar, what a deal!
The current weakness of the New Zealand dollar means the country
can now be considered a 'bargain bonanza' for American visitors
with an exchange rate which has dropped to around 40 cents on
the dollar. What more incentive do travelers need to extend their
stay for a month or more to reap the big benefits of a deflated
kiwi economy right across the board - from accommodation to transport
to sightseeing to food to shopping and golf packages. Just to
reiterate - one US Dollar buys $2.50 New Zealand Dollars, your
buying power is simply incredible and the value for money and
savings you'll make are quite exceptional. So much choice, so
close by.
New Zealanders are a sporty lot. They love their rugby, cricket
and sailing. Kiwi golfers have heroes too, among them the legendary
left-hander Bob Charles and, more latterly, Frank Nobilo, Michael
Campbell and Greg Turner. Even Tiger Woods has a kiwi caddy! And
because of the prolific number of golf clubs all over the country,
the game is well-established there. In Christchurch alone, there
are 25 golf courses within 40 minutes of the city center - so
much choice for a population of only 340,000. The opportunities
for visitors to experience a wide diversity of well-designed,
meticulously-maintained and challenging courses is almost endless.
A short drive from the outskirts of Christchurch you'll also find
numerous country clubs where the dress code is casual (to say
the least) and the local members can't wait for a friendly chat
over a cool beer or two. Tee off for something completely different.
Of course, when you're looking for a change of pace, the city
has such a diverse number of attractions on offer, many of them
unique in the world. You can watch sperm whales, swim with dolphins
or fish for trout and salmon in the nearby lakes and rivers. Visit
a European-style thermal spa resort, go jet boating, white water
rafting or bungy jumping. Maybe trade the adrenalin action for
the leisurely pace of a local vineyard and winery. Try your luck
at the local casino.
Check out the award-winning Antarctic Center. Catch a live theatre
performance. Go horseback riding. Get into the myriad of water
sports available, or chill out in the many sidewalk cafes and
bars till late. Whatever you want, it's all waiting for you in
Christchurch New Zealand. There's just so much so close by. And
it's all available at a fraction of the cost you'd ever expect
to pay! Relaxing vacation? No problem!
The whole of New Zealand is a safe, civilized place to holiday
too. There are no poisonous animals to watch out for. No risk
of exotic tropical maladies. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere
and no Visas are required for US citizens to enter the country.
The lifestyle is a very relaxed and casual one. As opposed to
some countries, New Zealand welcomes its visitors will open arms.
Throughout your time there you'll discover that one thing always
remains constant - the friendliness and openness of the people.
You'll feel at home there and have so many great memories to take
away with you. There is hardly a better way to escape the North
American winter and revel in the warmth of a South Pacific summer.
Flying south for the winter.
When Bill Abrams and his family decided to immigrate to Christchurch
from the San Franciso Bay area some 15 years ago, he began enthusiastically
spreading the word about this fabulous place to all his friends
and business associates back home. His company name, Snowbirds
New Zealand, sums-up the whole concept of flying south to escape
the North American winter in favour of basking in the balmy climate
of a South Island summer. A keen golfer and long time member of
the exclusive Christchurch Golf Club, he saw the opportunity to
share all the unique local recreational opportunities with his
fellow countrymen and women...even before the kiwi dollar fell
to its current record low. His travel business offers all-inclusive
monthly packages which represent absolutely amazing value for
money. Using the resources of his extensive inbound tourism business
network, he has developed a range of Freedom Packages which include
a special one month Golf Membership for two people at his home
club, the unlimited use of a rental car and a comprehensive choice
of top quality accommodation. The packages range from US$3,000
to US$6,800 monthly.
Special golf membership.
A special one-month membership at the prestigious Christchurch
Golf Club has been created exclusively for Snowbirds New Zealand
clients. Each membership covers two people and enables gives them
unlimited play plus full member privileges and rights with access
to all club events, activities and facilities.
Walk-on tourists would normally pay approximately US$36 per
round, already cheap by anyone's standards. But Snowbirds New
Zealand visitors will realize huge savings under this special
deal, with their membership fee already included in their overall
vacation package. For example, a couple who play the course only
twenty times during their 30 day stay will do so for just US$6.25
a round each! Where else in the world would this be possible?
The Christchurch Golf Club was founded in 1873 and holds the
distinction of being New Zealand's longest-established club. Rated
among the top five in New Zealand, it is a 'must play'. Having
recently undergone redevelopment under the expert eye of renowned
golf architect and champion player of yesteryear, Peter Thomson,
the course features prominent fairway bunkers, wide well groomed
fairways and slick greens.
The clubhouse itself is impressive too with its traditional
English architectural style. If offers comfortable apre golf surroundings,
delicious food and refreshments. The Pro Shop stocks the latest
in equipment and an extensive range of clothing. And all this
is just ten minutes from Christchurch city centre.
But standing on the first tee flanked by your fellow members,
you could be forgiven for thinking you were in golfer's paradise,
a million miles away from the pressures of life back home.
Personal, professional service
Bill Abrams takes a personal interest in all his clients. His
friendly "meet and greet" style and indepth local knowledge
ensures that a good time is had by all. Everyone who flies south
for the winter will be personally looked after by Bill every step
of the way. "With over 20 years of owning my own successful
business in California and travelling extensively around the world,
I understand value", says Bill. "I know that excellent
service combined with great value for money places both myself
and my clients in a win-win situation. I guess the whole Snowbirds
concept started with a vision of being able to share all the good
things we enjoy here in New Zealand with others. It's a very satisfying
feeling." For further information on Bill's Freedom Packages,
visit his website at www.snowbirdsnz.com or free phone him and
personally talk to him in New Zealand on 1-877-499-5303.
The world's greatest golfing haven.
Take a mild, sub-tropical climate, add some of the most spectacular,
unspoiled scenery you'll see anywhere, mix in some warm and friendly
folks and you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable vacation.
But what makes all the difference about New Zealand as a destination
for the ardent golfer is the ease of access to some truly stunning,
international-class courses...plus the fact that you will pay
a mere fraction of the cost back home to enjoy them all under
a sunny, summer sky. Under ten bucks will buy you a leisurely
18 holes plus a refreshing beer at the 19th. Hard to believe,
but that's just the way it is "downunder" in New Zealand.
Make this the year you escape the winter and follow the sun south.
Give it your best shot now, before the rest of the world discovers
this golfing gem at a bargain basement price.
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